Identity-indicating device.



No. 695,584. Patented Mar. l8, I902.

0. W. SMITH.

IDENTITY INDICATING DEVJCE.

(Application filed Sept. 0, 1901.)

(No Model.)

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wza/ WITNESSES m: NORRIS PETERS cc. Pnow-uma, WAiHKNGTON, o. c.

UNITE STATES PATENT" OFFICE.

CHARLES \VILLIS SMITH, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

IDENTITY-INDICATING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 695,584, dated March 18, 1902 Application filed September 9, 1901. Serial No. 74,811. (No modeld To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, CHARLES WILLIS SMITH, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Identity-Indicating Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part thereof. My invention relates to register-indicating devices. It is of a class in which a registering-book is employed in which on different pages are placed the names and description of a large number of subscribers who may from time to time require identification.

The object of my invention is to provide a certain and at the same time a ready means of identification. 1

In the practice of my invention each subscriber is furnished with a key differing fromf .taugular box having a lateral flange B on its any of the keys of the other subscribers. Convenient of access to the place.where the book of identification is kept is the registerindicating device of my invention, the details of construction of which are hereinaf-- ter fully described and claimed. In general terms the register indicating device comprises a casing in which is movably mounted one or more members provided each with a series of characters, certain ones of which when a key is inserted into the casing appear at a place of observation provided in the casing and denote the particular number represented by the key inserted at that particular time. Each key is provided thereon with a number stamped on its face denoting the page-number in the identification-book- By referring to that page under the number thereon indicated by the register-indicator upon the insertion of the key will be found the description of the person presenting the key. I

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is a front elevation view showing a key inserted and a portion of the casing being broken away, so as.

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on the dotted line of of Fig. 3 and showing the number 10 key inserted. Fig, 5 is a cross-section taken on the dotted line a b of Fig. 3, the coil-springs being removed. Fig. 6 is a cross-section taken on the dotted line 0 d of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is an end view showing the opening for the reception of the key. Fig. Sis a view showing the under side of the operating-key, the reverse side of which is shown in Fig. 9. This key when inserted, as shown in Fig. 1, would indicate the number 46 on the register-indicator. Fig. 10 is a plan view of a key which would indicate number 10 on the register-indi cator. Fig. 11 is an edge view of the key shown in Fig. 10.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar views.

A indicates the casing, comprising a recrear side for the purpose of furnishing a securing means. In the center of the front side of the casing is a place of observation comprising in the form illustrated two holes or openings 0, disposed side by side. Slidable lengthwise in the casing are two members D and E, each of which is provided on its front face with a series of characters, the characters in this instance being zero and the dig-, its. When the members D and E are in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, at which time no key is inserted, the zero character on each member will appear at the observation-opening 0. Sufficient space is provided in thecasing so that the members D and E may be so moved by the operating-keys as to present the lowest character on each member at the opening 0 with which it is in line. Each member D and E is provided with a central vertical longitudinal opening F, in which is mounted a coil-spring G, the lower end of which bears upon the movable member carrying it and the other end bearing upon the casing. Secured at their upper ends to the end of the casing on which bear the springs G are two vertical parallel guide-rods H, disposed axi- IOO provided a horizontal transverse key-slot I, through which the operating-keys may be inserted. These keys are indicated by J and comprise a fiat blank provided on the under side with a longitudinal rib or guide K, which extends from the outer end part way the length of the key. A groove L is provided in the rear side of the casing to receive the said rib when the key is inserted. A groove Q to receive the key is provided in the rear side of each member D and E. Each key is provided with shoulders M to limit the distance of insertion. Some of the keys are provided on each side with a member-engagin g projection N. Others of the keys are provided only on the left side with such a projection, and the remainder of the keys are provided only on the right side with this projection or shoulder. The disposition of these shoulders or projections N controls the positions to which the members D andEare moved when the key is inserted. For instance, the key shown in Fig. 8 when inserted, as shown in Fig. 1, will move the member D to a position such that the number 4 will appear at the observation-opening C. At the same time it will move the member E to a position such that the numeral 6 will appear. The observation thus shows the key to be number 46. By then referring to that number on the page indicated on the keyas, for instance, page 999the proper description of the person presenting the key will be found. To retain the key in position while this examination is being made of the record in the identificationbook, a locking device is employed, consisting in the form shown in a flat spring 0, secured at one end to the rear plate of the easing at a point just above the key-slot. A transverse slot P is provided in the rear side of the casing to receive this spring, and the spring is so placed that when a key is inserted the rib K will depress the spring until the key is fully inserted, at which time the rib will have passed the spring 0, which will re sume its normal position and prevent the pushing out of the key by the pressure of the springs G upon the members D and E. By depressing the free end of the spring 0 it will be released from the rib K on the key, and the springs G will then force the members D and E downward, and thus eject the key. By properly arranging the shoulders or projections N on the keys a set of ninety-nine different keys can be provided, which will when inserted in the indicator show all the numbers at the place of observation from 1 to 99, inclusive. None of the keysin a set can be made to register a number the same as any other key would register. The rib K on the key serves a double function-that of properly guiding the key and also to prevent the key being inserted in but one position.

As many pagesin the book of identification may be used as there are sets of keys, and every key of a set will be numbered with the page to which it refers. On each page will be placed ninety-nine numbers corresponding to a set of keys, and opposite each number will be placed the description of the subscriber having the keyof that page and register number.

My invention is subjective of many modifications, while retaining its spirit.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a register-indicator, the combination with a casing provided with a place of observation, of a plurality of members movable within the casing and provided each with a series of characters, and an operating device adapted to engage one of the said members and so move it within the casing as to present at the place of observation certain characters representing the said operating device, sub stantially as described.

2. In a register-indicator, the combination with a casing provided with a place of observation, of a plurality of members movable within the casing and provided each with a series of characters, and a plurality of operating devices each adapted to engage one or both of said members and so move them within the casing as to present at the place of observation certain characters representing the said operating device, substantially as described.

3. In a register-indicator, the combination with a casing provided with a place of observation, of a plurality of members movable within the casing and provided each with a series of numerals'representing zero and the digits, and a plurality of operating-keys differing from each other and adapted each when engaged with the said movablemembers to so move them as to present at the place of observation the numerals representing the said key, substantially as described.

4. In a register-indicator, the combination with a casing provided with a place of observation, of a member movable within the easing and provided with a series of characters, an operating-key adapted to engage the said member and so move it within the casing as to present at the place of observation a character representing the said key, and means for retracting the movable member after the key has been disengaged therefrom, substantially as described.

5. In a register-indicator, the combination with a casing provided with a place of observation, of a member movable within the easing and provided with a series of characters, an operating-key adapted to engage the said member and so more it within the casing as to present at the place of observation a character representing the said key, and a spring for retracting the movable member after the disengagement of the key therefrom, substantially as described.

ing and provided with a series of characters,

' vation, of a member movable within the easingand provided with a series of characters,

an operating-key adapted to be inserted within the casing and when soin'serted to engage and so move the said member 'as to present at the place of observation a character representing the said key, a releasable locking devicefor retaining the key after its inser-' tion, andmeans for retracting the said member after theiwithdrawal of the key, substantially as described.

S. In a register-indicator, the combination with acasing provided with a place of observation, of a plurality of members movable within the casing and provided each with aseries of characters, a plurality of keys adapted each to be inserted within the casing and when so inserted to engage with and so move the members as to present at the place of observation the characters representing the particular key inserted, and a releasable locking device for retaining the key after its insertion, substantially as described.

9. In a register-indicator,the combination with acasing provided'witti a place of observation, of a plurality ofmembers movable within the casing and provided each with a series of characters, a plurality of keys adapted each to be inserted within the casing and when so inserted to engage with and so move the members as to present at the place of observation the characters representing the particular key inserted,a releasable locking device for retaining the key after its insertion, and means for retracting the movable members after the withdrawal of the keys 'from the casing, substantially as described.

10. In a register-indicator, the combination with a casing provided with aplace of observation, of two members movable within the casing and provided each with a series of numerals representing "zero and the digits, and

a plurality of keys each representing a certain number and provided part of the keys with means for engaging one of the said members and the rest of the keyswith means for engaging both of said members and so moving them within the casing as to present at the place of observation the numerals representing the respective number of the particular key inserted, substantially as described.-

11. In a register-indicator, the combination with a casing provided with a place of observation,'of two members movable within the casing and provided each with a series of numerals representing zero and'the'digits, a plu- -rality of keys separately insertible withinthe casing and each representing a certain number, part of the keys being provided with means for engaging but one of the said membersand the rest of the-keys provided with means'for engaging both of said members and so moving them as to present at the place of observation the numerals representing the number of the particular key inserted, and a locking device for retaining the inserted key, substantially as described.

12. In a register-indicator, the combination 1 with a casing provided with a place of observation, of two members slidably mounted in the casing and provided each with a series of numerals representing zero and the digits,

and a plurality of keys adapted for insertion within the casing'so as to engage with the slidable members and so move them as to.

present at the place of observation the numerals representing the'particular key inserted, some of the keys being provided with means for engaging but one of the slidable members and the others provided with means for engaging both of the said 'mernbers,-substantially as described.

13. In a register-indicator, the combination with a casing provided with a'place of observation, of two members slidably mounted in the casing and provided each with a series of numerals representing zero and the digits,'so disposed as to pass consecutively before the place of observation when the members are properly moved, an opening in the casing for the insertion of an operating-key, a spring adjacent to said opening for engaging the key when insertedand "means for retracting the slidable members, substantially'as described.

14. In a register-indicator, the combination with a casing provided with a place of obser-- vation, of a plurality of movable members provided each with a series of numerals representing zero and the digits, a plurality. of

keys adapted to be inserted into the casing and provided with means by which they-cannot be inserted in any but the proper manner, some of the keysbeing provided with means for engaging but one'of themembers and the other keys provided with means'for engaging all the members and to move them forward so that the numerals opposite thev place of observation indicate the number of the particular-key inserted, and alocking device for retaining a key when inserted, substantially as described.

15. In a register-indicator, the combination with a casing provided with a place of obser vation, of two members mounted slidably in the casing and provided each on the side in I front of the place of observation with a series of numerals representing zero and the digits,

a plurality of keys adapted when inserted in the casing to slide the members so as to have the numerals thereon-appear at the place of observation, a releasable'locking device for retaining a key-when inserted into the casing,

means for retracting the slidable members after the Withdrawal of a key, and each key differing from the others in the relative manner of engaging the slidable members Whereby the positions of the slidable members relative to each other and the place of observation are diiferent with the insertion of each key from the positions assumed by the slidable members upon the insertion of any of the other keys, substantially as described.

16. In a register-indicator, the combination with a register-casing provided with a keyslot, a key-guiding groove, and a place of observation, of a member movable in the casing and provided with a series of characters adapted to appear one at a time at the place of observation when the member is properly moved, and a key adapted to be inserted through the said slot and provided with a guiding device adapted to engage the said guiding-slot, and having also means for engaging the said member for the purpose of moving it so as to display at the place of observation, the character representing the particular key, substantially as described.

17. In a register-indicator, the combination with a register-casing provided with a keyslot, a key-guiding groove and a place of observation, of two members movable in the casing and provided each with a series of characters adapted to appear one at a time at the place of observation when the member is properly moved, and a key adapted to be inserted through the said slot and provided with a guiding device adapted to engage the said guiding-slot, and having also means for engaging one or both of said members for the purpose of moving them so as todisplay at the place of observation characters representing the said key, substantially as described.

18. In a register-indicator,the combination with a register-casing provided with a keyslot, a key-guiding groove and aplace of observation, of two members movable in the casing and provided each with a series of characters adapted to appear one at a time at the place of observation when the member is properly moved, and a plurality of keys adapted to be separately inserted through the said slot and provided each with a guiding device adapted to engage the said guidinggroove, and having each means for engaging one or both members for the purpose of so moving them as to display at the place of observation characters representing the particular key inserted, substantially as described.

10. In aregister-indicator, the combination with a register-casing provided with a keyslot, a key-guiding groove and a place of observation, of two members movable in the casing and provided each with a series of characters adapted to appear one at a time at the place of observation when the member is properly moved,a plurality of keys adapted to be separately inserted through the said slot and provided with each a guiding device adapted to engage the said guiding-groove,an d having each means for engaging one or both members for the purpose of so moving them as to display at the place of observation the characters representing the particular key inserted, and a releasable locking device for engaging and retaining a key when it is inserted, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES \VILLIS SMITH. lVitnesses:

VVARREN D. HOUSE, D. W. 0. HOUSE. 

